The Early Modern Period was the beginning of the rise of European powers. These European nations like England, France, Spain, and Russia, all began developing colonies all over the world. As evidenced by this illustration of European colonization by 1750, the Americas were thoroughly taken over by the end of the Early Modern Period. The period saw major changes in world geography and - figuartively - the world shrank, as trade extended to the new colonial areas.

Notes

The small political units of the postclassical era were replaced by new empires.

Russian and Ottoman Empires extended their rule in Europe and Asia.

Ottomans conquered Constantinople; extended their rule over most of the Byzantine Empire. (Destroyed a former beacon of Christian faith)

Mughal Empire seized power over much of India.

New navigational devices helped the explorers find new lands.

Atlantic trade routes became very important by the periods end (1750 CE).

The Americas were now part of a global trade network. (African slave trade began.)

International trade increased due to the Americas.

Causation and the West's Expansion Qs (P. 354)
1. I think that the cultural determinism would be the most basic to social changes because after cross-culture interactions, changes in a society are common. Mixing of cultures causes social change.
2. Explorers would often excuse their actions in the midst of colonization as spreading their faith (Which - in Europe - was mainly Christianity). However, an equally important reason that was under the surface was Europe's determination to attain wealth through mercantilistic ideas and to out-compete Asia and the Middle East.